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Tuesday, 29 November 2016

The humbling of “General Hyena” 1850

It’s
always gratifying to see a bully and tyrant cut down to size and a particularly
satisfying example of this occurred in London in 1850, even if the retribution
meted out was disproportionately small compared with the crimes in question.

Haynau

1848 was “The
Year of Revolutions” across Europe, and in Austria revolts led to the abdication
of the feeble-minded Emperor Ferdinand, and his replacement by his 18-year old nephew,
Franz Josef. The latter was, amazingly, still on the throne at the start of
World War 1 and he was only to die in 1916. During 1848 and 1849 the Austrian-ruled
possessions of Hungary and Northern Italy were also among the areas affected, with
nationalist groups rising up to demand greater autonomy, or even independence. These
insurrections were suppressed with savage efficiency by the Austrians – in the case
of Hungary with significant support from Russian forces. The Italian campaign
was notable for its prosecution by the 82-year old Marshal Radetzky (of “March”
fame) and one of his ablest commanders was to be the 62-year old General Julius
Haynau.

Austrian troops storming rebel positions at Brescia, April 1849

Haynau’s
military career had begun in the Napoleonic wars and though a competent soldier
he also demonstrated qualities of cruelty, arrogance and blind devotion to his
superiors which a century later might have brought him to dizzy heights in the Nazi
party. In Italy he was to earn the reputation of “Butcher of Brescia”, when he followed up his suppression of a
revolt in that town in April 1849 by shootings, hangings and floggings. This was
however mild compared with Haynau’s record in Hungary, where among those he hanged
were thirteen surrendered Hungarian generals. His most notable achievement was
however to gain a reputation for having women sympathetic to the rebels
flogged. Austrian admirers were to label him “The Hapsburg Tiger.” In Britain
however his savagery was to earn comparison with a less noble beast and he
became commonly known as “General Hyena”.

A Hungarian woman being flogged by Austrian troops, 1849

Upon
restoration of peace Haynau retired from the army and in 1850 undertook a tour
of Western Europe. Given his nickname it was less than wise to include Britain
on his itinerary. While in London he
decided to tour the Barclay and Perkins Brewery in Park Street, just off
Southwark Bridge Road. This was considered a state-of-the-art industrial plant,
a marvel of efficiency and innovation, and it was to play host over the years to many
eminent visitors, including British and foreign royalty.

Popular illustration of Haynau under attack at the breweryNote inset pictures, left and right of hanging, and flogging

Haynau
arrived at the brewery on September 4th with his nephew and an
interpreter. His prominent (and wholly ridiculous) moustache seems to have
revealed his identity to the workers as prints showing him flogging women had
been in circulation prior to this. Word of his presence began to spread and as
he was brought to see the stables of the delivery horses a group of draymen –
delivery men – began to pelt him with hay and horse-droppings. Haynau and his
companions now took to their heels, the workers pummelling him and tearing off
part of his trademark moustache. Now in ignominious flight, and pursued by a
mob which may have grown to 500, Haynau and those with him managed to dart in
to the George Inn in Bankside. He seems to have tried to hide first in the coal
cellar, and afterwards in a bedroom, but when discovered with pelted with more
manure.

Some popular
verses of the time record Haynau’s come-uppance. Though hardly great poetry, the
following extract typifies the popular view of the incident:

One day he went to have a stare,

At where we English brew our
beer,

And met a warm reception there,

From Barclay and Perkins’
draymen.

“Out, Out, the tyrant!” all did
cry!

How you would laugh to see him
fly,

To cut his lucky he did try,

But soon found out it was all my
eye,

One collared him by his
moustache, and one with mud his face did splash,

Another rolled him in the slush…

…One let down upon his head,

Straw enough to make his bed,

One pulled his nose till it was
red,

DidBarclay and Perkins’ draymen.

Then out of the gate he did run,

And now there was some precious
fun,

A rotten egg he got from one,

For all did try – yes every one,

To show how we loved a brute

Who women flogg’d and men did
shoot,

For trying tyranny to uproot etc.etc.

Haynau trying to hide

The
police arrived too late to spare the general these indignities but they did at
least manage to get him away through a window at the back of the inn, and to
bring him across the river to safety by boat. Thoroughly and deservedly
humiliated, Haynau cut short his British holiday. The draymen responsible were
instant heroes.Congratulatory letters arrived
from overseas as well as from Britain, a well-attended celebration rally was
held at Farringdon Hall and the Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi subsequently
visited the brewery to thank the workers.

As so
often, Queen Victoria was not amused however and she demanded that the
government apologise to Austria for an outrage against what she called “one of the
Emperor’s distinguished generals.” Lord Palmerston, the Foreign Secretary, was
directed to write the necessary apology. He himself had told his colleagues
that he was as delighted as any man in England about what had happened and his official
despatch to the Austrians reflected this. He regretted the attack but added,
pointedly, that it was ill-advised for Haynau to have come to Britain in the first
place in view of the general indignation about his behaviour in Italy and Hungary.
Palmerston added that it would be unwise for Austria to ask for prosecution of
the brewery workers because, were they put on trial, their defence council
would obviously use, and thereby publicise still further, evidence of Haynau’s
own atrocities.

Haynau being rescued from further indignities by the police

Queen
Victoria was indignant when she saw the despatch, but it had already been sent.
She demanded that another, with an unqualified apology, be drafted. Palmerston
told the Prime Minister that any such new despatch would have to be signed by a
new Foreign Secretary. Unwilling to lose the most capable member of the government,
Russell, the Prime Miniser did not force the issue. Palmerston had won, and himself
became Prime Minister five years later. Victoria loathed him.

A commemorative plaque on the site of the (now demolished) brewery

Haynau
died in 1853. It is ironic – and pleasing – that a cruel and arrogant tyrant
should not be remembered for his undoubted military capabilities and
achievements, but as the flogger of women who was himself to get the beating he
richly deserved from London workmen.

The Dawlish Chronicles

This series now comprises five books so far, plus a long short-story as a bonus in the latest - Britannia's Amazon.

I Agree, Alison. It reminds me of Newman's "The Idea of a Gentleman" in which he defines one as "Someone who never deliberately causes pain." Battle is one thing, brutal treatment of the defenseless another - and that includes POWs.

About Me

My "Dawlish Chronicles" are set in the late 19th Century and reflect my deep interest in the politics, attitudes and technology of the period. The fifth novel in the series, “Britannia’s Amazon” is now available in both paperback and Kindle formats. It follows the four earlier Dawlish Chronicles, "Britannia's Wolf", "Britannia's Reach”, "Britannia's Shark" and "Britannia's Spartan". Click on the book covers below to learn more or to purchase.
I’ve had an adventurous career in the international energy industry and am proud of having worked in every continent except Antarctica. History is a driving passion in my life and I have travelled widely to visit sites of historical significance, many insights gained in this way being reflected in my writing. I welcome contact on Facebook and via this Blog. My website is www.dawlishchronicles.com and its “Conflict” section has a large number of articles on topics from the mid-18th Century to the early 20th Century.